| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Heritage of the Desert by Zane Grey: "Do? God knows. What can any of us do? Times have changed, August.
Dene is here in White Sage, free, welcome in many homes. Some of our
neighbors, perhaps men we trust, are secret members of this rustler's
band."
"You're right, Cole. There are Mormons who are cattle-thieves. To my
eternal shame I confess it. Under cover of night they ride with Dene,
and here in our midst they meet him in easy tolerance. Driven from
Montana he comes here to corrupt our young men. God's mercy!"
"August, some of our young men need no one to corrupt them. Dene had no
great task to win them. He rode in here with a few outlaws and now he
has a strong band. We've got to face it. We haven't any law, but he can
The Heritage of the Desert |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: and to the downtrodden, ye be traitors at heart, all;
and ever be ye trampling upon those who be down that
they may sink deeper into the mud. Mon Dieu! How
I hate you," she finished. And as she spoke the words
Bertrade de Montfort looked straight into the eyes of
her father.
The old Earl turned his head, for at heart he was a
brave, broad, kindly man, and he regretted what he
had done in the haste and heat of anger.
"Come, child," said the King, "thou art distraught;
thou sayest what thou mean not. The world is better
The Outlaw of Torn |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett: the battle for town clerk here in Dunnet; they got some sense o'
proportion. Yes, they lived more dignified, and their houses were
better within an' without. Shipping's a terrible loss to this part
o' New England from a social point o' view, ma'am."
"I have thought of that myself," I returned, with my interest
quite awakened. "It accounts for the change in a great many
things,--the sad disappearance of sea-captains,--doesn't it?"
"A shipmaster was apt to get the habit of reading," said my
companion, brightening still more, and taking on a most touching
air of unreserve. "A captain is not expected to be familiar with
his crew, and for company's sake in dull days and nights he turns
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Yates Pride by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: Glynn. Then she repeated: "She has adopted a baby," but this time
there was no effect of an explosion. However, the treble chorus
rose high, "Where did she get the baby? Was it a boy or a girl?
Why did she adopt it? Did it cry much?" and other queries, none
of which Mrs. Glynn, Ethel, and Julia could answer very decidedly
except the last. They all announced that the adopted baby was
never heard to cry at all.
"Must be a very good child," said Abby.
"Must be a very healthy child," said Mrs. Lee, who had had
experience with crying babies.
"Well, she has it, anyhow," said Mrs. Glynn.
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